The Free Exercise of Religion

The First Amendment to our Constitution is the bedrock of our freedoms. It reads as follows:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for redress of grievances.

The Establishment of Religion Clause

We know for certain from the writings of the Founding Fathers that the first phrase of the amendment was intended only to prohibit the establishment of a state church, such as the Church of England. And that is the way in which the amendment was interpreted by our Supreme Court for more than a hundred years.

It was not until the mid-Twentieth Century that the Court began to expand the meaning of the clause from separation of church and state to separation of religion and state, resulting in a considerable diminishment of religious freedom, like the prohibition of the Gideon’s organization from distributing Bibles inside schools.

The Free Exercise Clause

The second clause in the First Amendment is now the center of controversy. It is usually referred to as “The Free Exercise Clause.” It was designed to protect the right of people to practice their religion as they please.

Accordingly, it would seem reasonable that a conservative, Bible-believing Christian should be able to refuse to participate in any way in a same-sex marriage ceremony — whether as a photographer, baker or wedding planner. Yet, that is exactly what the Gay Mafia is condemning in our nation today.

(When I used the term, Gay Mafia, I am referring to radical homosexual activists who are determined to cram their sexual perversion down the throats of everyone, and who are particularly incensed toward Christians who believe the homosexual lifestyle is a sin against God.)

Difficult Issues

The issues raised by the Free Exercise Clause are not always easy ones. For example, we might all agree that a voodoo group should not be allowed to practice child sacrifice, but what about a Muslim woman who wants to work for the TSA, but who demands that she be allowed to wear a burka?

What about religious practices which have been outlawed in the past because they were unpalatable to the Christian majority in our nation? I have in mind such things as:

The handling of snakes in worship services by primitive Christian churches.

The practice of polygamy by Mormons and Muslims.

The rejection of blood transfusions for minor children by Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Now that political power in our nation has shifted to the hands of those who despise conservative Christianity and religion in general, we are experiencing more and more challenges to the Free Exercise Clause with respect to all religions.

My Response to the Attacks on Christians

My response to the Gay Mafia is this: If Bible-believing Christians should be forced to provide their services for same-sex marriages, then:

Should a Jewish printer be forced to print anti-Semitic placards for a Skinhead organization?

Should a Muslim or Jewish catering service be forced to supply pork chops for a catered event?

Should businesses owned by Muslims, conservative Christians and Orthodox Jews be forced to supply abortion insurance for their employees?

Should adoption agencies of any religion be forced to provide their services to homosexual couples?

Should a Christian be forced to remove a cross lapel pin or necklace as a condition of employment?

Should an Orthodox Jewish man be forced to remove his yarmulke as a condition of employment?

Should a militant Atheist or devoted Humanist be forced to supply services to a Christian church?

Should a member of a homosexual church who is a baker be forced to prepare a cake that contains a scripture condemning homosexuality?

Drawing the Line

Where should the line be drawn? The Religious Freedom Act of 1993 was meant to protect the free exercise of religion. It was passed overwhelmingly by the Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton. Twenty states have since passed similar laws. Those laws are not meant to harm anyone. Rather, they are designed to protect religious people from discrimination and persecution.

The current assault on these laws is a manifestation of the rapidly increasing secularization and paganization of our society. Once these laws are repealed, the next step will be to demand that religious organizations like churches and ministries be restricted from abiding by their creedal statements, putting them in a position where they will be forced to hire homosexuals.

And then, of course, there are the unconstitutional “hate laws” which the Gay Mafia will insist be applied to beliefs and words instead of just actions. And if you think that is unthinkable, then think again. What if you had been told 20 years ago that within the next few years same-sex marriage would be approved by states and would even be endorsed by churches — would you have believed it? Our society is on a fast train to Sodom.

Accommodating Sin

What is particularly appalling to me is the way in which several liberal denominations have rushed to accommodate the demands of a pagan society to ordain homosexuals and to approve same-sex marriage. Do the leaders of these churches really believe that God is going to bless what He has condemned?

Even a so-called Evangelical like Andy Stanley, pastor of North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia, has stated that he sees nothing wrong with forcing Christian businesses to assist with same-sex marriages! His justification for this radical stand? “Serving people we don’t see eye to eye with is the essence of Christianity.”

Well, first of all, that is not the essence of Christianity. The essence of the Christian faith is to develop a personal relationship with Jesus. And second, it is not the responsibility of Christians to aid and abet others to sin against God and His Word.

A Challenge

The time is long overdue for Christians to stand up and be counted. When the Supreme Court ruled in 1980 that the Ten Commandments could not be displayed on the walls of our schools, Christians quietly acquiesced. When the Communist Party of Poland ruled in 1984 that all crucifixes had to be removed from the walls of Polish schools, the Catholic leaders and children of Poland went to the streets and said, “Over our dead bodies!” The Polish government backed off.

Will Christians take a stand in this country, or will we allow the Pagans and Humanists to run over us?

Dr. David Reagan

Dr. David Reagan serves as the Founder and Director of Lamb & Lion Ministries. He is a life-long Bible student, teacher, and preacher whose sermons have been distributed worldwide and has led 45 pilgrimages to Israel. Dr. Reagan is the host of the television program Christ in Prophecy.

The Supreme Court has now put its wisdom of marriage over the creator's marriage between man and woman, Genesis 2;24. Man is arrogant beyond belief, I cannot imagine the wrath God is feeling. What will become of us, there are many people who do stand up for God, a lot more than 10 men who could not be found in Sodom…so would God destroy the United States with so many of his people, (the true church) trying to live Holy lives…or will we just be whittled away at with storms, drought, floods, plagues, and our enemies overtaking us? The strong words of 2nd Peter 2:6 "Turning the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered Just Lot, vexed with the Filthy Conversation of the Wicked." Homosexuality, transgender, polygamy, abortion, corruption are increasing. I think this nation is living on borrowed time Dr. Reagan.

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Lamb & Lion Ministries was established for the purpose of proclaiming the soon return of Jesus. We do not believe it is possible to know the date when Jesus will return. But we do believe it is possible to know the season of the Lord's return, and it is our conviction that we are living in that season...